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Flash flood evacuates 62 at Grand Canyon
Floodwater destroyed footbridges in a remote Grand Canyon corridor, leaving visitors to be evacuated or accounted for.
What happened
A flash flood struck Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday. The National Park Service evacuated 62 people and sought information on about 15 others unaccounted for. Floodwater damaged crossings and trails, while the campground, Phantom Ranch and river activities were closed during assessments.
Numbers
- 62people evacuated from affected areas — Additional evacuations were planned
- About 15people unaccounted for afterward — Earlier estimate exceeded twenty
- 1–2.5 cmrainfall within thirty minutes — In the affected area
Questions
- What caused the flooding?
- Rainfall on the Kaibab Plateau sent runoff through Bright Angel Creek, where steep terrain turned a short downpour into a torrent.
- What did the flood destroy?
- Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting hiker crossings; the flow also widened the creek bed and formed a rapid.
- What services changed after flooding?
- The flood damaged a water pipeline, prompting water restrictions in the busiest area, a fire ban and some overnight accommodation closures.
- What weather risk remains?
- The park warned of further thunderstorms and heavy rain through August 31, with risks including flash floods, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail conditions.
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The catch
Accounts differ on fatalities: CNN reported one death, while other reports cited park statements with no confirmed deaths or injuries.
The latest official accounting was unclear.